AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifications: Tafeltopper India is preparing for Iraq Challenge

The Indian senior ladies team will expand its perfect run in group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifications, will be confronted against Iraq on the 700 -year anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on Wednesday.

India is currently at the top of the table with six points and a target difference of +17 after victories against Mongolia (13-0) and Timor-Leste (4-0).

Thailand is in second place, even with six points but a target difference of +11. Iraq has already played three games and is on four points. It must beat India to have some chance to stay alive on the road to Australia.

Although it has become in a race between India and Thailand to increase their target difference before they meet each other on the last day (July 5), Blue Tigresses coach Crispin Chettri confirmed that three points are the greater priority, and the only focus is currently just the Iraq game.

“Thailand is the last game, but for now our full focus is on Iraq. We should not worry about how many goals Thailand or we have scored, or will score. The priority is to approach the Iraq match with a positive mindset and for the win. The most important thing is the most important thing. The most important thing is the most important.

After beating Timor-Leste on Sunday, Chettri and his coaching staff stayed in the stadium to see Iraq suffer from a 0-7 drubing by the hosts. It has been a roller coaster ride for the 173rd ranked West Asian side, which was held by Timor-Leste Goalless in the first game, before he defeated Mongolia 5-2 to win his very first victory on the international stage.

Giving his opinion about the Iraq side coached by their former men’s international Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail and 103 places under India, said Chettri: «For me, Iraq is not as weak as people think. They are a good side, but they have played back-to-back matches, so we may have an advantage in terms of recover.

«In general I don’t see a big difference between Iraq and Timor-Leste. I feel that Timor Lest was more organized. So I think we get more opportunities to play our game against Iraq. It should be a good match for us to try a few new things.»

Read also: India beats Timor Leste in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifications, is at the top of group B

After only the first two games, Chettri has already used 22 players, including all outfielders, of the 23-person team. The Indian coach said he might want to continue with the rotation trend in the Iraq game and distribute valuable minutes on younger and newer players, while he also hopes to keep everyone fresh for the last game.

«More or less all players have had opportunities. Of course we cannot take the Iraq -match lightly. There can be some rotation, but important players get minutes. Giving games time to coming players is important at such a stage, but in crucial matches we have to stay at a core group. If we can score early, then we may be able to rotate more Freally.

Winger Soumya Guguloth, who suffered a nose bot fracture during the match against Timor-Leste, is excluded from Wednesday’s game.